and ironically, i think if as tim geithner did, the secretary of the treasury, float this idea of abolishing the law that requires a congressional vote, that sort of the ultimate threat that the president has. whether he can get that through or not. but that's the ultimate nightmare for the tea party. >> quickly both of you gentlemen, i want your take on the filibuster reform that is pending. there is a lot of commentary being given in the senate about what should be done. would this make it a toxic atmosphere, eugene, if harry reid goes for the full ball of wax and really smokes them out the way they have been filibustering and changes the rule? what does that do to debt ceiling negotiations, if anything? >> well, i think it probably exacerbates the tensions and the bad feelings in the senate, and where the feelings are not that bad right now. i don't know that he will try to push forward on that. >> what than, howard? >> i think he might try it. i think he is being pushed to try it by liberal constituencies who might see that as a payback for a time in which they're having to concede on me